ATBECHDEDKESFRGBGRITLILUNLSEMCPTIESILTLVFIROMKCYALTR............................JDIM350 (Ver 2.1 Jan 2001) 1620000/01215761EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATIONA320030813EP01126994.120011114EnEnEn73726520001213US20030813200333200206192002257 7H 01R 12/10 AdeElektrischer Steckverbinderzusammenbau zur Verbindung von flachen flexiblen SchaltungenenElectrical connector assembly for flat flexible circuitryfrDispositif de connection électrique pour connecter des circuits flexibles plats1MOLEX INCORPORATED0055312401MO 0421EPP2222 Wellington CourtLisle, IL 60532USFuerst, Robert M.2606 Alden CourtWest Bloomfield, Michigan 48324USLePottier, Yves862 University PlaceGrosse Point, Michigan 48230USBlumbach, Kramer & Partner GbR00101301Patentanwälte, Alexandrastrasse 565187 WiesbadenDEATBECHCYDEDKESFIFRGBGRIEITLILUMCNLPTSETRALLTLVMKROSI20030813200333

A connector assembly (12) is provided for removably interconnecting first conductors (14) of a flat flexible circuit (16) to a plurality of second conductors (18,76,82) without the use of conductive terminals. The assembly includes a male connector having a relatively rigid male body member (24,56) with an edge (22) about which the flexible circuit (16) is wrapped, and with the first conductors (14) of the circuit facing away from the body member at the edge (22) thereof. An adapter or other female connecting device (36) includes a first receptacle (49) for receiving the male connector inserted edge-first into the first receptacle. A second receptacle (52,44,46) receives the second conductors (18,76,82) in position for engaging the first conductors (14) of the flexible circuit (16) at the edge (22) of the male body member.